Log cabin costs vary depending on the size of the cabin, the location, and the cabin style. This guide will help you figure out the true cost of a log cabin.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Boston, MA? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $155,000 - $1,015,600
The average cost to build a house in Boston, MA, is $564,809, and most projects total between $155,000 and $1,015,600. A pro will factor in location, material quality, home size, and more.
How we get this data
Amy Walters / Adobe Stock Photography
Amy Walters / Adobe Stock Photography
Cost Insights
New home construction in Boston costs 59% more than the national average.
The size of the home has the biggest impact on cost; the median home size in Boston is roughly 1,800 square feet.
Interior and exterior finishes, as well as the type of foundation, also impact the cost.
Contractor costs in Boston are also above the national average.
You’ll also need to budget for permits, site prep, and site cleanup.
On average, building a house in Boston costs $564,809. Those prices may range from $155,000 to $1,015,600, depending on several factors, such as the size of the house, the type of foundation, and the interior and exterior finishes. New home construction prices in Boston are much higher than in other parts of the U.S., anywhere from 11% to 91% more. That said, the typical new Boston home costs 59% more than the national average.
Home Building Cost Factors
Building a house in Boston, Massachusetts, can be costly, due to the area’s higher cost of living (meaning higher materials and labor costs). However, understanding the various factors driving this price can help you keep prices down. The biggest factors impacting the cost to build a home in Beantown include the size of the house (square footage and number of bedrooms are good indicators), the type of foundation, and finishes on both the inside and outside.
Square Footage
The cost to build a custom home can range anywhere from $160 to $795 per square foot, with the average sitting right around $240 per square foot. The higher end of this range accounts for building luxury homes or homes in large cities. The size and type of house you choose will also affect what you’ll pay.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the median home size in the greater Boston area is 1,830 square feet, for an average cost of $439,200. The table below breaks down price ranges by square foot.
| Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost in Boston | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $240,000 | $160,000–$795,000 |
| 1,500 | $360,000 | $240,000–$1,192,500 |
| 1,750 | $420,000 | $280,000–$1,391,250 |
| 2,000 | $480,000 | $320,000–$1,590,000 |
| 2,200 | $528,000 | $352,000–$1,749,000 |
| 3,000 | $720,000 | $480,000–$2,385,000 |
Number of Bedrooms
It’s helpful to have an idea of the total construction cost based on the number of bedrooms, since that will likely be the first thing you decide. You can expect to pay $159,000 to $191,000 per bedroom. Note that the added cost comes from not only the additional square footage for the bedroom but also larger living spaces, additional bathrooms, and utilities to support additional occupants. The average home in the U.S. today is 2,200 to 2,500 square feet and has three bedrooms.
Here are the new construction home costs based on the number of bedrooms at the average price of $240 per square foot.
| Bedrooms | New Home Price Range in Boston, MA |
|---|---|
| 2 | $318,000–$382,000 |
| 3 | $477,000–$573,000 |
| 4 | $636,000–$764,000 |
| 5 | $795,000–$955,000 |
Foundation Type
The cost of your foundation will come down to where you live, the soil conditions, and the type of foundation that’s best for your home.
Unless you’re well-versed in construction, you’ll probably want to lean on a structural engineer to help you determine the correct foundation type and inspect the foundation after its completion.
Concrete slabs are the most common type of foundation in Boston, but many homeowners choose a basement or crawl space foundation in Massachusetts instead.
| Foundation Type | Cost in Boston (Per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|
| Basement | $32–$59 |
| Crawl space | $10–$29 |
| Pier and beam | $10–$19 |
| Slab | $8–$25 |
Exterior Finishes
Exterior finishes, from the siding to the shingles on your roof, will account for $39,750 to $95,400 of your overall home-building costs. You and your team will have a lot of decisions to make depending on the exterior style you’re going for and the best options for your local climate, among other factors. Things like high-end roofing materials and gutters will increase your cost but also provide a greater ROI.
| Exterior Finish | Average Cost in Boston |
|---|---|
| Siding | $3–$48 per sq. ft. |
| Roofing | $6–$17 per sq. ft. |
| Exterior trim | $14–$40 per linear ft. |
| Stucco | $11–$14 per sq. ft. |
| Gutters | $5–$59 per linear ft. |
Interior Finishes
Moving on to the interior work of your home is an exciting phase. This stage is the moment to determine the flooring, the paint colors, and all appliances and home systems that make your house a home. Assume you'll pay between $79,500 and $278,250 for all interior finishes.
The higher cost range accounts for more complex and sought-after materials. These include everything from insulation with higher R-values to beautiful marble countertops. Nearly every category, however, offers options for all budget preferences.
| Interior Finish | Average Cost in Boston |
|---|---|
| Flooring | $5–$35 per sq. ft. |
| Painting | $3–$10 per sq. ft. |
| Countertops | $13–$302 per sq. ft. |
| Interior trim | $2–$3 per linear ft. |
| Interior doors | $110–$795 each |
Home Building Pro Costs
While materials are a good chunk of the overall cost to build a home in Boston, you’ll also need to budget for a wide range of professional labor costs, including a custom home builder in Boston, or an architect, structural engineer, and general contractor near you, who can oversee the overall project.
Check out our guide to hiring a home builder if you’re new to this process.
Architect Costs
You’ll need to find an architect near you or a larger architectural firm to design the house of your dreams. In new communities being mass-developed, you may simply work with a home builder that has ready-made designs to choose from. Expect to spend between $2,100 and $27,000 on architect costs in Boston, and don’t forget that you’ll also need to budget for a local structural engineer before work can begin.
General Contractor or Construction Manager Costs
Typically, you’ll need to hire a general contractor or construction manager to oversee the project. Depending on the type of contractor and scope of the project, this can range between 5% and 20% of the overall construction costs.
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
When you hire a local construction manager or general contractor to oversee the construction of your new home in Boston, they’ll be in charge of hiring specialty contractors for specific portions of the project. For instance, at various points, you can expect your general contractor to subcontract local HVAC techs, electricians, roofers, plumbers, carpenters, flooring specialists, foundation pros, painters, and more.
Hourly labor rates for these Boston contractors depend on the specific work they’re doing. Work with your general contractor to understand how much you’re paying for each portion of the work.
Permits and Inspections
You will absolutely need a permit to build a new house in Boston. Your general contractor should arrange for any and all permits required. The cost of the permit will vary depending on the specifics of your project, but in general, expect to spend $50 per $1,000 in construction costs, or about 5% of the total project, according to PermitFlow.
During and after construction, you’ll need to schedule some inspections. Home inspections cost from $350 to $500 in Boston.
Site Prep and Cleanup
Some new home construction projects may include site preparation, including excavating and grading, which costs between $2,400 and $8,900 in Boston. You may also need to pay Boston land survey costs, which run between $800 and $5,500.
Your overall home building costs should include site cleanup when all is said and done, but it’s worth noting that construction site cleanup costs run from $250 to $550 in Boston.
Is Building a New House Worth It?
If you have the money and credit profile, building a new house is absolutely worth it, even with today’s higher mortgage interest rates and the higher cost of living in Boston. According to Rocket Mortgage, houses appreciate in value by about 5.5% every year, outpacing inflation (and high-yield savings accounts). That means, down the road, you can expect your house to be worth significantly more than you spent to build it, as long as you keep it in good condition.
Beyond the monetary value, building a new house in Boston is worth the cost. It allows you to design the perfect home for your family—addressing your specific wants and needs—in a neighborhood where you want to live. It’s hard to put a price tag on comfort, safety, convenience, and happiness.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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